Private Room

[CarriePie]

Sorry for possibly being a bit naive. I'm only 11+5 but this is my first so obviously I have a lot of questions.
My only experience of labour is OBEM...
I was just wondering if you get to give birth in your own room as standard or do you have to share?
I imagine it in my head a bit like when Rachel from friends gives birth - you share for the majority and then only get privacy when it's time to push! Am I really silly to imagine this?
I have just looked on the website for the hospital where I'm giving birth and they say they have Amenity rooms with ensuite for £100 if they are available.(Kingston u-t if anyone had any experience there) I don't mind paying that but I also don't mind sharing during the majority of labour if I have to. Do you see what I mean?
I appreciate that by the time I'm pushing I won't care who sees but the idea of another lady the other side of a curtain during such a special moment is making me uncomfortable! (It doesn't help I have a major hospital phobia which I'm hoping I've got under control by August! )
Thanks in advance for any advice

[VinegarDrinker]

Every woman in active labour (ie contracting every 3 minutes or so, and 4cm or more) should have their own room. This usually does happen, although to be realistic there are always a few occasions when a woman is thought to be in early labour, or kept on the antenatal ward due to awaiting a midwife or room. These should NOT be the norm though!

Amenity rooms are for after the birth.

[VinegarDrinker]

You certainly shouldn't be delivering in a shared room

[willyoulistentome]

Both my two were born at the JR in Oxford. I got the impression that the rooms were just for one mother for the whole labour, birth and for a while aftewards until I was ready to go back to the wards with the new baby. I did not have to pay anything.

By the way if you can get a private room for afterwards DO SO!!

First time round, I thought it would be 'nice to have company'. Jesus was I wrong or what?!! So second time round we paid for a private room on the ward afterwards. Definitely worth it!

[givemeaclue]

No you get your own room to give birth in!!! Who would want to do that in front of others! But may be on shared ward afterwards

[CarriePie]

Oh thank goodness. I was trying to be diplomatic but inside I was terrified. Thank makes me so happy to know its in a private room.
I will still definitely try and get one of the amenity rooms though.
Thank you all!!
Has anyone any good experience of Kingstons New Malden suite? As I'm a nervous 1st timer I don't wish to hear any bad experiences quite yet!!!!

[sleepyhead]

I was induced overnight so was on the antenatal ward for the first part of labour (ie when the pessary was doing it's thing and I was starting to have contractions), basically the bit you'd normally do at home if things had kicked off naturally.

After my waters broke and I was in active labour I was taken up to the labour suite and had my own room. This is standard as far as I know.

Post-birth it's standard to be on a shared ward and yes, own room would be bliss but I'm too tight to pay for one (not sure it's an option in my hospital anyway). I'm hoping things will be straightforward and I'll get to go home quickly this time though.

[BeebiesQueen]

you should speak to your midwife about doing a hospital tour, most hospitals still do some form of tour, even if its only a hospital antinatal class with a floor plan they talk you through.

[CarriePie]

beebies thanks I will do I have my 16 wk appt booked in so will enquire then.
Saying that I have my 1st scan on Monday at the hospital so I will get my first look at where my baby will be born!!!

[GingerJulep]

You might not need a room afterwards, if all goes smoothly you can be sent straight home in a few hours.

[BlingBubbles]

2 of my friends had their babies at Kingston and both loved it, once they had delivered they paid for a private room, the one even had its own bathroom. I have not heard any horror stories about Kingston so j think you should be in good hands.

Good luck

[CarriePie]

Thanks Bling!! X